Empower Talent Through Education
We are inviting educators and researchers to submit innovative learning and development formats in the field of innovation, entrepreneurship, and venture creation. These initiatives can be supported monetarily and non-monetarily.
The Essentials
Key information about the program structure, eligibility, timeline, and support provided for selected course formats.
Next application round will open for the winter semester
Applicants are members of universities and research institutions who can integrate courses or course-like formats within their organizations, including teaching, research, or administrative staff responsible for academic programs. Applications may be submitted jointly with partners, but must be led by an eligible institutional member. The call targets institutions in Northern Germany and prioritizes formats embedded in curricula, preferably involving at least 20 students (or 15 researchers) and including English-language elements.
Seeding Innovation
The program goes beyond traditional entrepreneurship courses by engaging students and researchers early in the innovation process, helping to turn technology into real-world impact. It raises awareness among talents, encourages team formation, and provides hands-on knowledge in building startups. By enhancing the effectiveness of teaching and development offerings, it aims to inspire more participants to enter the entrepreneurial process and continue developing their ideas.
Supported Courses & Training Formats
The call is intentionally open. A wide range of teaching and learning formats may be funded - key evaluation criteria are innovative character, reach, and impact.
Eligible approaches include, but are not limited to:
Project-based formats
Advanced courses
Industry-specific courses
Formats for PhDs and postdocs
Structured dialogue and exchange formats
Combinations of these approaches are explicitly welcome. Given the intention to actively include international students, course formats or course elements delivered in English will be prioritized.
Funding Criteria
Course concepts are considered particularly eligible for funding if they clearly address at least two of the following aspects:
Eligible approaches include, but are not limited to:
A strong innovation or experimentation character
The use of new technologies or digital tools
The engagement of previously underrepresented target groups
A high degree of interdisciplinarity or openness beyond individual institutes, faculties, or universities
The integration of external actors from industry, startups, or the investment community
A strong project-, application-, or implementation-oriented approach
The list is intentionally non-exhaustive: other innovative elements or approaches may also be eligible for funding.
Type of Funding
This call does not provide lump-sum funding. Support is granted on a needs-based basis, derived from the course concept and a cost estimate. This support can be monetary and non-monetary.
Eligible costs include, but are not limited to:
Budgets for the development or further development of course formats
Funding for materials, components, or software licenses for prototyping
The development, use, or licensing of digital tools
The involvement of external experts and intensive team coaching
The training of tutors and coaches
Excursions, field trips, or visits to application environments
Paid teaching assignments, if a content-related gap is filled
Personell costs for staff (typically limited to 1-2 person-months)
Funding is generally expected to remain below EUR 5,000. For more extensive new developments or formats with exceptional leverage, higher funding may be granted.
Application Process
To apply, eligible applicants should complete a short online form and submit a Course Concept of up to four pages. The concept should include:
- Target groups and academic embedding (Bachelor, Master, PhD)
- Course format, educational approach, core methodology, and supervision concept
- Planned implementation (timeframe, semester, block format, or semester-long)
- Expected impact (qualitative and quantitative)
- Specific non-monetary support needs or required funding, including a rough cost estimate
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